Amick: It has been more than two months since the Pacers played like an elite team consistently. Scoring was a huge problem in an April 6 loss to the Hawks (Indiana had a 23-point first half) and remains an enormous red flag. Pacers in 7.

Zillgitt: Even though the Pacers aren't playing their best, they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder last week in a key game. The Hawks will be competitive, but they're too banged up to win. Pacers in 5.

Spain: Yes, the Hawks blew out Indiana in the last meeting between the two. But the Pacers, despite a recent slump, will make everyone forget about that as they easily take this series. Pacers in 4.

Joseph: The Hawks took the Pacers to six games last year but now have a completely different roster. I expect the same result. Pacers in 6.

Amick: Charlotte and first-year coach Steve Clifford are capable of putting up a fight, but I expect the Heat to waste no time kicking this three-peat push into high gear. Miami took a measured approach to the regular season so they could transition into beast mode, as the kids call it, at this moment. Heat in 5.

Zillgitt: The Bobcats are 0-15 against the heat since 2010-11, and while Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker might find a way to win a game, this matchup gives the Heat time to warm up. Heat in 5.

Spain: The Big 3 has never lost to the Bobcats. That trend will be stopped in this series, with Charlotte taking at least one game. But the dominance will continue, as the Heat will be too much to handle. Heat in 5.

Joseph: Let's look at it like this: The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Heat twice in 2012-13, then were dismissed in four games in the first round. These Bobcats can't beat the Heat ever. Heat in 4.

Amick: Forget the seedings, as these teams have been almost identical since the New Year rolled around (Nets 34-17, Raptors 34-19). They split four games during the season, with three of the games decided by a combined seven points. Nets in 7.

Zillgitt: It's a toss up. Three of the their four games were decided by four points or less. This might be a case of the Raptors being too inexperienced to care about experience. Raptors in 7.

Spain: The Raptors have overachieved all season and could be building a team that can compete for a few seasons. The Nets are a veteran group and have too much playoff experience and that will prove to be the difference. Nets in 7.

Joseph: The Nets have played so well in 2014 that they look better than their 49-win incarnate last season. Toronto is young and probably a year away. Nets in 6.

Amick: No Derrick Rose and all (again), I'm simply not betting against Tom Thibodeau in the early rounds of the playoffs. Certainly not with what this Joakim Noah-led Bulls team has done these past few months (36-16 since Jan. 1). Bulls in 6.

Zillgitt: The key for Washington is to experience playoff success, even if that means simply winning a game. Chicago's defensive pressure, playoff intensity and experience will be too much. Bulls in 5.

Spain: Chicago is the team nobody wants to play because, from Thibodeau to the last man on the bench, they play every game like it's Game 7. They'll hold off an up-and-coming Wizards team that is just beginning to realize their potential. Bulls in 6.

Joseph: The Wizards are not ready for the playoffs yet. Next year, they have a legitimate shot at the Eastern Conference finals. But the Bulls are too disciplined to even drop a game. Bulls in 4.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick breaks down each first-round series in the loaded Western Conference.
USA TODAY Sports

Amick: As much as I'd love to see the two oldies-but-goodies — Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki — go seven for the sake of posterity, it's not happening. San Antonio values playing as few games and minutes as possible. They beat the Mavericks all four times during the regular season. Spurs in 5.

Zillgitt: Can every series in the West go seven games? Even if it's short, this series won't be easy, but San Antonio prepped all season for this moment. Spurs in 6.

Spain: It's time to stop asking how San Antonio does this year after year and enjoy what we're watching. It's going to be fun watching Duncan and Nowitzki battle it out again. There might not be many of those left. Spurs in 4.

Joseph: Nowitzki will have one vintage performance where he shoots 14-for-17 from the field and makes us feel alive for a night. But the Spurs will win this series handily. Spurs in 5.

Amick: Memphis has been very good for a very long time — third-best record in the league since Jan. 1. But while the Grizzlies are capable of pulling the first-round upset, the momentum that should come from Kevin Durant being awarded his first MVP likely continues with Oklahoma City surviving. Thunder in 6.

Zillgitt: Memphis' second-half resurgence shouldn't be overlooked. The Grizzlies won three more games than the Thunder while play two fewer in that same period. But there's too much Durant and Russell Westbrook in this series. Thunder in 7.

Spain: Durant has been great this season, and it's almost unfair the No. 2 seed Thunder have to play a top four-caliber team in the first round. If Marc Gasol hadn't been injured early in the season, the Grizzlies might have battled OKC for this spot in the standings. This will be a war. Thunder in 7.

Joseph: Backup point guard Nick Calathes' suspension won't help the Grizzlies in this, the toughest of the first-round matchups. Both these teams are good enough to win a title, but the slight edge goes to the team with Durant. Thunder in 7.

Amick: The loss of Andrew Bogut (fractured rib) is huge for Golden State, but this should still be a competitive, entertaining series. Warriors coach Mark Jackson has the backing of his players, and they will be out there fighting for his future with the team. It just won't be enough. Clippers in 6.

Zillgitt: Everyone has the same refrain: It's too bad Bogut isn't healthy. But I'm not sure Golden State would win even with Bogut but it sure would be closer. Clippers in 5.

Spain: This could be the most fun series of the first round, if for no other reason than it will have the most trash talk. The Clippers are better overall and will survive a barrage of three-pointers to win in a high-scoring series. Clippers in 5.

Joseph: The Warriors love playing small, especially with Bogut out. You can't do that against the Clippers, with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan manning the paint. Clippers in 5.

Amick: When big man Dwight Howard and point guard Patrick Beverley were healthy, the Rockets were a top 10 defense. That's huge in the playoffs, and that factor should be enough to help carry them now that both are back from recent injuries. Rockets in 6.

Zillgitt: Do the Rockets play the kind of style that's sustainable in the playoffs? Even though the Blazers slipped a bit after a strong start, they're better built for a series. Blazers in 7.

Spain: Every few years, the Rockets put together a title contender-caliber roster. They added Howard to a group that could already score points in bunches in order to be a force in the postseason, and it should pay off. Rockets in 5.

Joseph: The Blazers finished very strong, but they still have a lot to prove. The Rockets' stars, Howard and James Harden, both have been to the NBA Finals and could get there again. Rockets in 5.

GALLERY: Potential breakout stars of the NBA playoffs

During the 2013 NBA playoffs, Spurs guard Danny Green introduced himself to the world. Who might do the same this year? USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph takes a crack at picking breakout stars for every playoff team. Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports

Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson blossomed during last season's playoffs. But now he is fighting for a paycheck, as he becomes a free agent after the season, so expect an even bigger showing this spring. David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade already has a full Hall of Fame résumé, with three rings and a scoring title to his credit. But he could reassert himself as a present-day star after getting a lot of rest during the regular season. Russell Isabella, USA TODAY Sports

Raptors power forward Amir Johnson long has been an unheralded role player but could make his name in the playoffs because of his leadership role on Toronto's top-10 defense. Tom Szczerbowski, USA TODAY Sports

Bulls power forward Taj Gibson deserves a look for sixth man of the year but probably won't get his due credit because his stats aren't gaudy enough. Still, he's one of the best defensive big men in the NBA and should play more late-game minutes than Carlos Boozer. Marilyn Indahl, USA TODAY Sports

Nets center Mason Plumlee may be the most efficient player in this rookie class, but he spent much of his season laboring on the bench. In the month leading up to the playoffs, he averaged 10.4 points a game, shot 72.7% from the field and established himself as a viable option if Kevin Garnett can't go. Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

Wizards power forward Trevor Booker has been told to be more assertive all season, and he finally is taking that in stride. His role decreased with the return of Nene, but he is the hardest worker on the team and plays with reckless abandon. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Bobcats guard Gary Neal is the most playoff-tested player on the team, having been a big part of last year's Finals run for the Spurs. He has found his stroke since joining Charlotte in February and should take on a leadership role for the first time in his career. Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports

Hawks power forward Mike Scott spent five seasons at the University of Virginia, so late-bloomer fits him. But he has emerged in his second NBA season as an efficient post scorer for a team that needs the help inside. Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports

Spurs point guard Patty Mills mostly has stayed in Tony Parker's shadow, but in the second half he may have outplayed his often-aching counterpart. Mills' explosive scoring ability can ignite the Spurs' second unit, the best in the NBA. Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports

Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook needs to put the critics to rest. He already is in the conversation for the best point guard in the NBA when healthy, but naysayers suggest he holds Kevin Durant back. A championship-level performance could end that talk once and for all. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick still is Duke star J.J. Redick to many basketball fans, but his shooting could push the Clippers to the championship this spring. The better he plays, the better the team performs, and he is rounding back into form after missing most of the second half. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

Rockets power forward Terrence Jones has become the ideal companion to Dwight Howard down low, a perfect fit because he can rebound and play in the paint but also has the versatility to give Howard space. But he only is beginning to tap his vast potential now. Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

Trail Blazers power forward Thomas Robinson has played for three teams in two seasons since being drafted fifth overall in 2012, but he finally is developing a role behind (and filling in for) LaMarcus Aldridge. Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

Warriors forward Draymond Green is one of the most colorful and excitable players in the NBA, but with Andrew Bogut's injury, he will be counted on even more to produce. His rebounding and playmaking at either forward spot make him a unique force. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks power forward Brandan Wright has taken efficiency to a new level in making 67.2% of his shots and rarely touching the ball in other instances. His springy athleticism has returned after a glut of injuries, and he is a key piece next to and in backing up Dirk Nowitzki. Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies small forward Mike Miller won two titles with the Heat while struggling with all sorts of injuries. He's been the most healthy player on the Grizzlies this season, though, and is shooting as well as ever. This would be a chance to put a stamp on his career. Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports